Man arrested after tossing nails across Highway 16 in Tacoma, snarling traffic
Aug 25, 2025, 7:25 AM
Photos of WSDOT crews picking up and removing nails off of Westbound Highway 16 near Union Avenue in Tacoma. (Photo courtesy of WSP)
(Photo courtesy of WSP)
Westbound Highway 16 near Union Avenue in Tacoma was a mess Sunday morning after Washington State Patrol (WSP) troopers discovered a man was running into traffic and tossing nails onto the freeway.
The incident began at 8 a.m. Sunday. According to WSP Trooper John Dattilo, the nails were scattered across several lanes. The amount of nails that made it onto the highway could have filled a five-gallon bucket, Dattilo posted. Crews worked for hours to clean up the mess.
Troopers and @wsdot_tacoma are on scene attempting to clear a large amount of nails strewn across multiple lanes on WB SR 16 west of Union. A sweeper truck is en-route, but it will be a while before the road can reopen. https://t.co/wBzLBKgE1e pic.twitter.com/11I1V4LMXL
— Trooper John Dattilo (@wspd1pio) August 24, 2025
The man was arrested for first-degree malicious mischief. No flat tires or damage were reported.
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